Penduline Tit is a nice bird and, along with Citrine Wagtail, bring me many pleasant memories. The species has had a fluctuating presence in Finland: since 1980s to early 1990s it seemed that the species will finally establish itself on the Southern Coast. However, the invasion failed, and for a couple of years "remiz" was a relatively rare visitor to Viikki. In 2000s, however, the yearly April-May records started to rise, and remiz has been a frequent visitor to Pornaistenniemi, Keinumäki and near the old sewage treatment plant. I saw my first remiz back in 2004, at Pornaistenniemi. At 2010 I found a nest from there as well.
Remiz has interesting mating habits, where both species are practically polygamic. Males hold a large territory around wetlands, especially in areas rich with birch, willows and sometimes alder. The key factor seems to be the presence of mosaic habitat and Typha -plants, which the tit uses for nestbuilding material. The male constructs several elaborate, hanging nests. The females - usually quite a few of them - then inspect the nests, and accept what they will. Then a male and female will finish the nest together. Surprisingly, the female can lay eggs into several nests and one or both parents can abandon the nest, seemingly at will. Therefore an abandoned nesting attempt at one location isn't really that dramatic.
This spring there was an influx of Pendulines, and at least three individuals were recorded together. Therefore, my trip at 8th May was not spontaneous at all, but gave results: the first thing I saw was a Penduline Tit. It flew over me, towards Pornaistenniemi, and vanished. Classic!
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